All the Colors for 2026

Every year, paint companies roll out their “Color of the Year.” Sometimes they’re bold. Sometimes they’re confusing. For 2026, the big takeaway is this: things are calming down. These colors are practical, livable, and meant for real homes, not show houses.

If you’re thinking about repainting a room, updating a front door, or planning a bigger renovation, these six colors from the most popular paint brands are worth a look.

1. Pantone – “Cloud Dancer”

Pantone surprised a lot of people this year by choosing a soft white. “Cloud Dancer” isn’t bright white and it’s not gray but it does sit comfortably in between. Think clean, calm, and easy.

Where it works:

• Inside: Living rooms, hallways, and kitchens, especially if your home doesn’t get a ton of natural light. It keeps things bright without feeling cold.
  
  

• Outside: Trim, porch ceilings, or even siding on smaller homes. It freshens things up without screaming “new paint job.”

This is a great option if you’re selling soon or just want something you won’t get tired of.

2. Benjamin Moore – “Silhouette” (AF-655)

This one’s a deep brown with charcoal undertones. It’s dark, but it doesn’t feel heavy. Think espresso, not black coffee.

Where it works:

• Inside: Offices, dining rooms, built-ins, or an accent wall behind a TV or fireplace.

• Outside: Front doors and garage doors. It pairs nicely with white trim, stone, or brick.

If you want contrast without going full black, this is a smart move.

3. Sherwin-Williams – “Universal Khaki” (SW 6150)

This is one of those colors that just works. It’s a warm beige-tan that doesn’t lean yellow or gray.

Where it works:

• Inside: Open floor plans, living rooms, and family rooms where you want continuity.

• Outside: Siding, especially on Colonials, Capes, and ranches. It plays well with almost any roof color.

If you’re nervous about color, this is your safety net.

4. Behr – “Hidden Gem”

A smoky green-blue that looks bold on a paint chip but surprisingly calm on the wall.

Where it works:

• Inside: Kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, or an accent wall in a bedroom.

• Outside: Shutters or front doors if you want personality without going too trendy.

It’s a good “one-room” color, just don’t put it everywhere.

5. Valspar – “Warm Eucalyptus”

This is a soft, muted green with gray undertones. It feels relaxed and grounded.

Where it works:

• Inside: Bedrooms, home offices, or reading nooks. It’s easy on the eyes.

• Outside: Trim or doors, especially if your yard has mature trees or landscaping.

If you like green but don’t want it to feel like a forest, this one keeps things balanced.

6. Glidden – “Warm Mahogany”

A rich reddish-brown that adds warmth without looking dated.

Where it works:

• Inside: Dining rooms, accent walls, or kitchen islands.

• Outside: Front doors and shutters—especially on lighter homes.

This color feels solid and classic, which is why it works so well on older New England houses.

My Advice

The 2026 colors are less about making a statement and more about making your home feel comfortable. Whites are warmer, neutrals are richer, and color shows up where it counts: doors, cabinets, and accents.

If you’re painting to enjoy your home, stick with the softer shades. If you want curb appeal, use the darker colors sparingly where they’ll stand out for the right reasons.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Home is Where the Money Is

With so many questions about what our future holds, there has never been more focus on life at home. A place for us to work, play, and rest, homeowners are becoming increasingly interested in a multi-functional space that can feel both comfortable and luxurious at the same time. Factor in soaring real estate prices and our investment in where we live makes a lot of sense. Thinking about an upgrade yourself? Here are five home design trends that aren’t going away anytime soon. 

Entertaining Spaces

While the state is open for business and the worst of COVID-19 seems past us, there are still many people who are limiting their time in public places. Intimate dinner parties and gatherings at home will be more popular than ever before, especially as the weather cools and the holidays get closer. With people spending time in their houses, focusing on dining rooms and spaces within the home to gather is an interior trend that we’ll be seeing a lot more of. 

Home Offices

Even though many businesses are back open, plenty of office workers will be staying put, opting to work from home at least part time. Home offices will continue to be a focus for families who need a place to work quietly away from the happenings in the rest of the house. From converted closets to basement renos to small additions, this is a trend that people value both from a real estate and a sanity perspective.

Indoor Outdoor 

Warm weather has given us plenty of opportunities to relax, dine, and entertain outside. But as we all know, these Connecticut summers fade into autumn quickly. I have been getting a lot of calls for french doors and large scale windows, which make rooms look bigger and give the feeling of the outside indoors. Recently, I helped my son-in-law rebuild a three-season porch for an extra living area that will serve their family well into the fall. For many people, nature brings a feeling of calm which we could all use plenty more of.

Bright Accents

Incorporating yellow into your home decor is a great way to brighten up a space without having to commit to a major overhaul. Taking inspiration for the 2021 Pantone Color of the Year, Illuminating, many interior designers are loving a pop of sunshine indoors. From throw pillows to artwork, using bold yellow as an accent is sure to lighten the mood. 

Supporting Local

COVID has had a huge impact on small business owners and local craftsmen, which makes now the time to support the people in your area who are building, making, and creating. In addition to having something in your home that is handmade, you also get an opportunity to allow local talent to keep doing what they do best. The next time you need supplies, decor, or materials, consider a small scale operation in your community.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Color Your World with the Interior Paint Trends of 2019

We’ve seen a fair bit of winter white in the past few weeks, but with spring hopefully on the horizon, now is the best time of year to tackle an interior painting job. Fresh walls not only liven up your living space but they can also add value to a home if you’re thinking about putting it on the market this spring. Choosing one of the latest, of-the-moment colors will help you score major bonus points with potential buyers too. So let’s see what the biggest names in paint are forecasting to be all the rage in interior color for the season.

Pantone is the authority on color, influencing everything from home style to fashion. For 2019, their pick is Living Coral, which in their words is “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.” What a description! For me, the color is very tropical, pairing well with bright green and aqua for a Bermudian feel. While maybe not a living room color, I could see this pairing well with a bold, leafed wallpaper in a bright and sunny bathroom.

Next up is Behr, whose color of the year pick is a little more neutral. For 2019, the company announced Blueprint as their top choice in what they call “an honest, approachable color that conjures up the blueprints builders rely on to bring architectural designs to life.” The hue is just that, a mix of blue, green and gray that works perfectly for interior walls, cabinetry, and even a bold exterior siding color. This one is my personal favorite as it’s warm and inviting, yet interesting enough to make a statement.

If Blueprint isn’t your cup of tea, Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Year explores the other end of the spectrum with their 2019 pick - Cavern Clay. Inspired by the natural beauty of the Utah and Arizona deserts, Cavern Clay is a rich, earthy terra cotta color that the company calls “ancient, yet fully alive. Bohemian, yet totally refined.” If you like the idea of going with something warm and natural that pairs well with greens but isn’t as bold as Living Coral, Cavern Clay might be your perfect match.

Finally, we have Benjamin Moore, whose color of the year pick is the most neutral and easy to implement into any home. The hue, Metropolitan, is a layered gray which the company says, “emanates nuance, harmony, and extravagant ease. Always adaptable, it softens to matte or shimmers with sheen. It's neutral. It's understated. It just is." Marketing spin aside, the sophisticated twist on gray is really appealing and plays beautifully with warm pink hues or deeper jewel tones. If you’re looking for an alternative to white, Metropolitan is an easy transition that doesn’t offend.

With such a wide range of trending colors, I am excited to hear what you think about the 2019 picks. Would you go bold with Living Coral or is Metropolitan more your speed? Does Blueprint tick the boxes or are you feeling the warmth of Cavern Clay? I’d love to hear from you. Send me a message on Facebook at facebook.com/odonnellbros

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.